Volunteer counselling

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Volunteer counsellors

Whatever you do, you could do this too

ChildLine’s volunteer counsellors are ordinary people doing something extraordinary. It is because of our 1,000 plus volunteers that we are able to comfort, advise and protect thousands of children a day, every day of the year.

Without them we would not exist.

Unfortunately with current resources, we can only answer two in three calls. We urgently need to recruit and train more volunteers to ensure we answer every call and provide counselling and support to every child who needs it. This is why we have launched the Child's Voice Appeal so that we let no cry go unheard.

What is it like to be a volunteer counsellor?

ChildLine volunteer counsellor Vanessa Green says: ‘Like many people who volunteer for ChildLine I first heard about the charity through a newspaper article, and I’m so glad that I decided to get involved. I had no previous experience of working with children but I was looking for something completely different to my job as a PR consultant. After completing ChildLine’s counselling training course I felt well prepared to take my first calls from children on the helpline; I’ll never forget the emotion and sense of achievement I felt when I finished my first shift. To anyone wondering if they could be a ChildLine volunteer I would say just give ChildLine a call and find out more. I’m so glad I did, and you can do it too.’

We are always looking for people who:

• genuinely care about children and young people
• are open-minded, non-judgmental and respectful
• can listen to distressing and painful feelings and problems
• are committed to our training and work. We do not specifically look for people with previous experience or qualifications in counselling, as we offer our own 10-week training course

ChildLine gives its volunteer counsellors:

• Special training in counselling skills and child protection
• Support during counselling and regular supervision
• Ongoing training
• Opportunities for experienced counsellors to develop their skills in talking about ChildLine work, recruitment and training

ChildLine expects volunteer counsellors to:

• Give a regular weekly 3-4 hour shift for a minimum of one year after training
• Make themselves available for regular supervision
• Adhere to the ChildLine procedures and practices
• Continue to develop their counselling skills

Supervisory and management roles:

ChildLine values the skills of volunteers equal to those of employees. Experienced counsellors are encouraged to take on more specialist roles such as ,mentoring, interviewing, recruitment, training and supporting counsellors on shift.

Find out more about volunteering for ChildLine